If Rock and Republic can spend $2.5 million on a fashion show, it does seem to beg the question of how much is too much? On the one hand, amazing designs should sell themselves and it’s ultimately about the garments going down the catwalk. But it seems an arms-race has been developing based around who can put on the most decadent and press-worthy spectacle – and with the world’s attention span shortening by the minute, you can’t really blame designers for feeling that their shows have to be entertaining enough to keep people attentive for that crucial 15 minutes. Besides, if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it with a bang. Right?
According to a report by Forbes, fashion houses putting on a show can spend:
* $100,000 – $150,000 per day for a top venue
* $10,000 on basic lighting or upwards of $64,000 for top lighting
* $7,500 to $10,000 to hire a well-known DJ
* $25,000 to $1million on extras such as exotic flowers and props
* Around $65,000 on stylists, hair and make-up team, seamstresses and assistants – with a well-known stylist costing around $8,000 a day
* Between $250 and $50,000 for each model, obviously depending on how big a name the model is
* A-list celebrities in the front row apparently costing upwards of $50,000 plus expenses
So, is it a bit over the top, or is it all part of the creative process?
